The First Great Western service, which was travelling between Dorking and Reigate, stopped at a level crossing near Buckland and Betchworth at around 7.30am on Monday (November 16) after a fire broke out beneath the engine.

Reigate firefighter David Strong explained the fire started near electrical wiring around the gear box and there was “lots of white smoke.”

“Two firefighters with breathing apparatus and a hose reel managed to put it out,” he said.

“The driver managed to stop at a level crossing. He saw it and managed to keep the train going to a safe place.

“If he stopped in the middle of the train line, it would have been dangerous. He managed to get it to the Betchworth level crossing.”

Passengers were evacuated from the service and lined the roadside in Buckland while they waited for replacement bus services. No one was injured in the incident.